Service of The Triumphal Eternal Entry Into The Heavenly Kingdom For May 28, 1939 June 24, 2014 I Won t Complain Monday, June 30, 2014 ~ 11:00 AM Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church 1002 Rivington Street Roselle, New Jersey 07203 Rev. Milton A. Byrd, Pastor Rev. Gregory Parker, Officiating Rev. Dr. Elton T. Byrd, Eulogist
Rev, The moment we said I do, God sanctioned our marriage and made us one and from that day we walked and talked as one. I miss you here on earth but I know deep in my heart, our love is eternal because God promised us that love lasts forever. Loving You Always, Your Wife, Your Friend, Your Love Gloria Those we loved remain with us, For love itself lives on. Cherished memories never fade, Because a loved one is gone. Those we love can never be, More than a thought apart. For as long as there are memories, They ll live on in our hearts.
was born on May 28, 1939 in Rock Bluff, Florida, the third child of the late William and Olivia Brigham Byrd of Panama City, Florida. He graduated from the public schools in Panama City and attended Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida. While attending Edward Waters College, he was called to the Ministry. Prior to becoming the pastor at Bethlehem, he pastored the St. Luke AME Church and the Vernon Circuit in Florida, and the Messiah Baptist Church and Ferguson Grove Baptist Church in Virginia. Rev. Byrd continued his studies at Southeastern University in Greenville, South Carolina where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. He later received his Bachelor of Divinity degree. He worked with the deaf and the blind for seven years and received awards and certificates both in Education and for his involvement for the betterment of the community. In 1978, he was called to pastor Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Roselle, New Jersey. Under his leadership, numerous souls have been saved; the Baptist Training Union revitalized; a Mass Choir and Voices of the Morning founded; the Hostess Club, New Membership Committee and Men s Club established; church vans were purchased; a pilot program for unwed teens, Praise Dance Ministry, Soup Kitchen, the Adopt-a-Grandparent and One Step Beyond Ministries established as well as other improvements and programs instituted for the betterment of the Church and the community. Also under the leadership of Pastor Byrd, the edifice was renovated and the mortgage paid off; the Building Fund Committee reactivated and a new parsonage was built. The Church renewed their membership with the Building Fund Convention and he was active in the New Hope Missionary Baptist Association, The State and The National Conventions, and The United Missionary Baptist Association. He was a member of the Masons in Florida and when he came to New Jersey, he united with the Pride of Corinthians #112 International Mason and Order of Eastern Star. Where he served as the Chaplin. On October 9, 1999, Rev. Milton A. Byrd, Sr. was joined in holy matrimony to the former Gloria Morgan and this union was blessed beyond measure. On Tuesday, June 24, 2014, Rev. Milton A. Byrd, Sr. departed this life at Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey and went home to be with the Lord. He was predeceased by a daughter, Lataunga Yvette Byrd. He leaves to cherish fond memories, his loving and devoted wife of 14 years, who was his Angel, First Lady Gloria Byrd; children: Milton, Jr. (Marilyn) of Iowa, Kimberly Denise Byrd of Roselle, NJ, Stephen Vincent Byrd of Franklin Township, NJ, Kimberly Parks (Sylvester) of Rockhill, SC, Anthony Morgan (Lorraine) of Elizabeth, NJ and Joma Morgan (Catrica) of Wilmington, DE; siblings: Rev. Dr. Elton T. Byrd (Louberta) of Willingboro, NJ, William Byrd (Minnie) of Pensacola, FL, Mrs. Maurice Sizer (Charles) of Dublin, GA and Merial J. Byrd of Panama, FL; grandchildren: Milton III, Candace and Dominic Byrd, Brittany Pennington, Jasmine and Brianna Byrd, Alicia Morgan, Ryan Parks, Brittany Morgan, Taree and Matthew Morgan; great-grandchildren: Kylan, Trinity and Aden Byrd; special sister, Shirley Williams; mother-in-law, Henrietta Moore of Rockhill, SC; sisters-inlaw: Linda McDuffie (Dock) of York, SC, Selma Alston (Kenneth) of Lithonia, GA and Mary Mobley (William) of Beauford, SC; brother-in-law, Charles Moore of Rockhill, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, God children of all ages whom he loved as his own children and the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church family. Pastor Byrd, with his spirit of caring and sharing and his open door policy, has proven himself to be a Child of God and a Pastor who was deeply dedicated to God s program, the Church, the Church family and to helping all mankind. Lovingly and sorrowfully submitted, The Family
P R E C I O U S M E M O R I E S
The Organ Prelude The Processional...Clergy & The Family The Selection...Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Choir The Scriptures Old Testament: Psalm 27:4...Reverend Joseph T. Finn Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church New Testament: St. John 14:1-6...Reverend Brian Evans Nutley Baptist Church, Nutley, New Jersey Prayer of Comfort...Bishop Wayne L. Johnson Bibleway Deliverance Center, Roselle, New Jersey Solo...Deacon McArthur Allison, Jr. Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Words of Comfort...Trustee Louise Alford, Chairwoman Deacon West Coleman, Jr., Chairman Reverend Gilbert C. Young, Jr. On behalf of the Ministers of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church The Selection...Sister Carol Baker, accompanied by Church Choir The Reflections...National Baptist Convention Reverend Calvin McKinney Calvary Baptist Church, Garfield, New Jersey Speaker for the Guest Ministers, Dr. Ronald Terry New Fellowship Baptist Church, Macon, GA The Family Tribute...Mr. William Byrd Brother Pensacola, Florida Deaconess Lorraine Morgan Daughter-in-law Elizabeth, New Jersey The Selection... The Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church choir Acknowledgement of Condolences & Resolutions...Trustee Eudora Winston, Church Clerk The Obituary...Trustee Eudora Winston, Church Clerk Solo... I Won t Complain.. Sister Tina Spears New Hope Baptist Church, Newark, New Jersey The Eulogy...Reverend Dr. Elton T. Byrd Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Newark, New Jersey The Recessional... I Made It The Interment...Rosehill Cemetery, Linden, New Jersey
Deacons & Trustees Ushers Deaconesses & Missionaries We, the family of Reverend Milton A. Byrd, Sr. wish to express gratitude and thanks for your prayers, calls, visits and other expressions of sympathy during our time of bereavement. We will remain forever grateful for your kindness, thoughtfulness and support. Thank you. Services Entrusted To: G.G. Woody Funeral Home, LLC 206 East Eighth Avenue Roselle, NJ 07203 www.ggwoodyfuneralhome.com www.honoryou.com